The Lokayukta’s inordinate delay in delivering a judgement has raised suspicion of political influence in the case involving the swindling of hundreds of crores of rupees by CPM leaders from relief funds received towards the 2018 floods through CMDRF. According to sources, the delay was caused by the intervention and influence of the CPM leadership, who allegedly facilitated the Pinarayi/LDF Government to legislate an amendment to clause 14 of the Lokayukta bill.
The Lokayukta is suspected of being influenced by the Pinarayi Government and CPM through a friendly political party, with one of the judges believed to be a staunch supporter of AAP, leading to speculation that he may have been influenced by the CPM. This suspicion arose due to the inordinate delay in pronouncing the judgement and the fractured judgement.
It is alleged that the Lokayukta deliberately delayed the judgement, and one of the judges favoured the corrupt Pinarayi Vijayan. This has caused the people of Kerala to lose their trust in the Lokayukta, as despite clear and undisputable evidence of corruption by CPM leaders and ministers, the Lokayukta appeared to have favoured the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan said that the Lokayukta’s dissent in the case of misappropriation of the Chief Minister’s relief fund is strange. The opposition leader alleged that this was a decision to save the Chief Minister. As long as Pinarayi Vijayan remains as Chief Minister, the final decision will not to be made. Otherwise, it will be delayed until the Governor signs the amendment bill in this regard. This completely illegal judgment will undermine the credibility of the Lokayukta. V. D. Satheesan said that he now understood the meaning of KT Jalil’s threat.
The case is now being called upon to be referred to the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala for justice. The Lokayukta must be seen to be impartial and free from political influence to ensure justice is served, and the people’s trust is restored.
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